Destination Witchcliffe: a cellar door and wine bar that’s balancing the modern with the rustic.
The days of sleepy Witchcliffe, just south of Margaret River, being known solely for a vintage shop, its servo and a single coffee shop are long gone. The upcycled restoration of the old Darnell’s store was a strong step forward and now with the opening of this new cellar door and wine bar it’s firmly in destination territory. This purpose-built rammed earth structure is far from rustic with its use of clean, modern design cues. It’s drawing those looking to taste their way through the full McHenry Hohnen canon, from the latest releases to museum stock. On the wine bar side, the net is cast wide with a sommelier selection that extends to local friends and international labels. Opening chef Nicolas Delorme (ex-Wills Domain, Vincent Wine Bar) oversees a broadly Mediterranean menu using estate-grown produce and local seafood. It’s accessible and, to some degree, casual, and if you were looking for ‘rustic’, you’ll find it – slow-cooked lamb shoulder, octopus licked by flame, and seasonal salads.
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